Rockytime Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 I have long been annoyed at the aluminum tables on my scroll saws. I've had Ryobi, Grizzly, Hawk and presently two Hegners. The aluminum leaves black residue on the back of the work and the surface is not slick. I've used Johnson paste wax and silicone sprays. Neither were satisfactory. Some on this site use magnetic backed Melamine or similar material but that only works on steel tables. I found a thin adhesive backed counter top material to use. It's cheap. $5.99 on Amazon. I made a couple mistakes. First I taped the material upside down to the table and traced around the table with a felt Sharpie. I then cut the shape with a scissors. I then tried to position it on the table and missed and got it off to one side. I then discovered I could trim the surplus nicely with a sharp knife. I have enough material to do it over but will use it as is for now. What a difference. Makes scrolling a joy the way the project slides around so well. Also because the white surface is so bright it makes it easier for bottom feeders to find the little drill holes. new2woodwrk, Be_O_Be, OCtoolguy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjweb Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Looks good, RJ Rockytime and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsN Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 I like it! OCtoolguy and Rockytime 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollyred Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Nice job Les. I went a different route on covering my table. I used tempered hardboard, and flat head machine screws to hold it on. I put a couple of coats of thinned polyurethane on it, which soaked into the hardboard and toughened the top even more. Then I waxed the top, and re-wax occasionally. It works real well, one waxing will last for a long time. I did this on my last two scroll saws. The wood will slide over the top like it had been greased, and it cannot harm the back. The material is dark, so it doesn't help with seeing under the wood, but I don't have a problem with that anyway. Tom Rockytime and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Looks like it'll work. I used Teflon spray about 5 years ago and it's still pretty slick. Rockytime and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted December 10, 2020 Report Share Posted December 10, 2020 Well done, Les! Just for other alternatives, I read somewhere years ago that the old type of dryer sheets that are supposed to take static out of clothes in a clothes dryer makes the scroll saw table slicker. I have used it occasionally and it does work. My 18" Craftsman already has some form of teflon already on it and doesn't need much but, I still like to hear of other people's ideas. God Bless! Spirithorse Rockytime and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 21 hours ago, Dan said: Looks like it'll work. I used Teflon spray about 5 years ago and it's still pretty slick. Dan, I'm not sure about Teflon but I've heard that a lot of coatings will effect the way your wood takes stains etc. I know silicon is not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted December 11, 2020 Report Share Posted December 11, 2020 3 minutes ago, octoolguy said: Dan, I'm not sure about Teflon but I've heard that a lot of coatings will effect the way your wood takes stains etc. I know silicon is not good. It is made for metal tables. It dries fast and leaves no residue. Never had an issue. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 An idea from Kevin long ago is what I did and it works perfect. I got a piece of counter top laminate from Menards and traced the table on the underside. I then cut it w my saw, then used spray glue to keep it on. You can wax it when needed and it lasts for a long time. The piece I had to buy was enough to make three in case I ever broke one. Use a fine blade to cut and slow down or you can crack it. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted December 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 2 hours ago, Fish said: An idea from Kevin long ago is what I did and it works perfect. I got a piece of counter top laminate from Menards and traced the table on the underside. I then cut it w my saw, then used spray glue to keep it on. You can wax it when needed and it lasts for a long time. The piece I had to buy was enough to make three in case I ever broke one. Use a fine blade to cut and slow down or you can crack it. I no longer get out and about so I could not check the box stores. I searched the internet but could not find smaller pieces. Laminate is ideal. However for as long as I'll be around the thin material I used will work. It will outlast me. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben2008 Posted December 13, 2020 Report Share Posted December 13, 2020 (edited) Your idea sounds great. Here is what I did. I just recently sanded my 27 year old RBI aluminum table top with 220G sandpaper, then cleaned it with some mineral spirits, waited a bit to dry, and put a coat of paste wax. Works great. A coat of teflon sounds like an even better idea. I'll give that a try next time. Edited December 13, 2020 by ben2008 OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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